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Story
August 4, 1901
The Caucasian
Shreveport, Caddo County, Louisiana
What is this article about?
The bootblack profession originated in London in 1851 during the Great Exhibition. Mr. Macgregor organized street boys into a bootblacking brigade with custom kits, turning a social problem into a profitable trade despite initial mockery.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
The Bootblack.
It is hard to realize that the boot
black is an invention of the last half
century, yet he is now celebrating in
London the fiftieth anniversary of his
appearance. He came upon the scene
in 1851, the year of the great exhibi-
tion in London, the first of the "world's
fairs." The city was full of visitors
from all parts of the world, and the
problem of the street arab was a seri-
ous one. Mr. Macgregor of the famous
Rob Roy canoe suggested that the boys
be organized into a great bootblacking
brigade, and he himself made the first
box for holding the "kit," the model of
those still in use. Idlers jeered the
boys at first and sometimes stoned
them, but the public found their serv-
ices so convenient that the trade was
profitable. It has prospered ever since
and is now, if not one of the learned
professions, at least one with a history.
It is hard to realize that the boot
black is an invention of the last half
century, yet he is now celebrating in
London the fiftieth anniversary of his
appearance. He came upon the scene
in 1851, the year of the great exhibi-
tion in London, the first of the "world's
fairs." The city was full of visitors
from all parts of the world, and the
problem of the street arab was a seri-
ous one. Mr. Macgregor of the famous
Rob Roy canoe suggested that the boys
be organized into a great bootblacking
brigade, and he himself made the first
box for holding the "kit," the model of
those still in use. Idlers jeered the
boys at first and sometimes stoned
them, but the public found their serv-
ices so convenient that the trade was
profitable. It has prospered ever since
and is now, if not one of the learned
professions, at least one with a history.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Bootblack
London
1851
Street Arabs
Macgregor
Great Exhibition
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Macgregor
Where did it happen?
London
Story Details
Key Persons
Mr. Macgregor
Location
London
Event Date
1851
Story Details
In 1851 London, amid the Great Exhibition, Mr. Macgregor organized street boys into a bootblacking brigade with custom kits to address the street arab problem; despite initial jeers, the service proved convenient and profitable, prospering for 50 years.